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Valet key storage device

a key storage and key technology, applied in the field of valet key storage devices, can solve the problems of affecting the operation of the portable device, the structure of the portable device becomes complicated, and the vehicle may be stolen by the key

Inactive Publication Date: 2009-03-12
KK TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention is a valet key storage device that allows a driver to securely store their valet key in their vehicle without needing to carry an extra key. The device includes a locking bar, a driving member, a locking pin, and a control section. The locking bar has an engaging portion that the locking pin is inserted into, and the locking bar has slants that make contact with the valet key when it is inserted or removed. The valet key and control section have an immobilizing function that communicates with the valet key in a predetermined period. The control section invalidates the function of the valet key when it is removed from the storage portion in a non-valet mode. The driving member is a spring, and the driving section is a solenoid. The valet key storage portion has a stopper and an elastic member that compresses the stopper when the valet key is stored and locked by the locking bar. The control section shifts the valet key system into a valet mode when the valet switch is turned on and the ID of the regular key and the vehicle is certified by the immobilizing function. The invention allows for secure storage of the valet key in the vehicle and eliminates the need for an extra key.

Problems solved by technology

However, according to a conventional smart keyless system, although it is possible to use the portable device separately for the master key and the valet key by attaching and removing the tongue, since the tongue is smaller compared with the portable device, it is possibly lost after separating from the portable device.
In case of loss, a vehicle may be stolen by that key.
Furthermore, the structure of the portable device becomes complicated.
Furthermore, since there is no secure space to store a valet key in a conventional vehicle, it is necessary to carry around an extra key.

Method used

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first preferred embodiment

[0039]A valet key storage device in the preferred embodiment according to the present invention will be explained in more detail in conjunction with the appended drawings.

(Structure of Vehicle 1)

[0040]FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the inside of a vehicle in a first preferred embodiment according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle 1 has a main body 10 mounting a below-described engine and a ECU (Electronic Control Unit) as a control section and an instrument panel 11 to which various switches or the like are installed, where the instrument panel 11 is provided with a key cylinder 2, a valet key storage device 4 for storing a below-described valet key, an engine switch 12 and a valet switch 13. Since the ECU mounted on the vehicle 1 is provided with an immobilizing function, the vehicle 1 is configured not to allow an engine to be started up by only a mechanical key neither by an unauthorized operation of the key cylinder 2, such as picking or the like against the...

second preferred embodiment

[0077]A valet key storage device in the second preferred embodiment according to the present invention will be explained in more detail in conjunction with the drawing. The explanation for the portions which have the same structures and functions as the first preferred embodiment will be omitted by referring the mutual numbers in the following explanation. Furthermore, the structure of the valet key storage device 4 shown in FIG. 2B will be referred since it is same in this embodiment.

(Structure of the Valet Key Storage Device 4)

[0078]FIG. 7A is a cross sectional view of the valet key storage device in a second preferred embodiment according to the present invention, FIG. 7B is a cross sectional view of the valet key storage device in the second preferred embodiment according to the present invention at the time of an ejecting operation and FIG. 7C is a cross sectional view of the valet key storage device in the second preferred embodiment according to the present invention after ta...

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Abstract

A valet key storage device, includes a valet key storage portion for storing a valet key having an opening, a locking bar for locking the valet key, a driving member for driving the locking bar to be inserted into the opening of the valet key, a locking pin for locking the locking bar, a driving section for driving the locking pin to lock the locking bar; and a control section for controlling the driving section to plunge or remove the locking pin into or from the locking bar.

Description

[0001]The present application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2007-236753 filed on Sep. 12, 2007, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates to a valet key storage device in which a valet key can be securely stored in a vehicle.[0004]2. Related Art[0005]There are vehicle families which provide two kinds of key, one of which is a master key used by a driver for driving and another is a valet key. The valet key is used, for example, for depositing a vehicle by passing a key to a valet parking attendant of a hotel and entrusting him to move the vehicle to the parking etc. Both of the master key and the valet key can be used for unlocking or locking doors of the vehicle and starting up an engine. Furthermore, it is possible to unlock or lock a trunk or a glove box with the master key, but not with the valet key.[0006]As for key types of a master key and a vale...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): E05B65/12B60N3/12B60R7/06B60R25/04B60R25/20B60R25/24E05B19/00E05B49/00
CPCB60R25/241B60R25/24Y10T70/8676Y10T70/7763Y10T70/5889Y10T70/5956Y10T70/7757Y10T70/7768
Inventor KATAGIRI, TOSHIHARU
Owner KK TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO